The two presidents discussed ways to further lift economic and trade ties to new heights and agreed to further facilitate the exchange of all-level visits so as to strengthen political trust and boost links between the two legislative bodies, while working together at international forums for each country’s interests and a world of peace, stability and prosperity.

Both sides promised to improve the efficiency of the Intergovernmental Committee mechanism, back import-export activities and extend collaboration in industry and farming.

The Vietnamese President proposed intensifying industrial cooperation, particularly in chemicals, mechanical engineering and automobile assembly in which Belarus has strengths. He also called for establishment of joint ventures to process coffee, milk and farm produce, as well as for Belarus’s help in training agricultural experts.

The two leaders consented to expand bilateral ties in the fields of science-technology, national defense, education, health care, culture, sports, tourism and labor.

President Truong Tan Sang and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko sign a joint statement on strengthening and developing comprehensive ties between Vietnam and Belarus__Photo: Nguyen Khang/VNA

Following their talks, the two presidents signed a joint statement on strengthening and developing comprehensive ties between Vietnam and Belarus, in addition to other agreements on economic, scientific, educational and cultural cooperation during 2016-18 and 2016-20 as well as several economic contracts valued at USD 350 million between businesses of the two countries.- (VNS/VLLF)